Dispensing device for collapsible tubes



P 1958 .D. G. WIDMANN 2,851,195

DISPENSING DEVICE FOR COLLAPSIBLE TUBES Filed May 28, 1957 1N VENTOR.

DISPENSING DEVICE FOR COLLAPSIBLE TUBES David G. Widmann, Bronx, N. Y.

Application May 28, 1957, Serial No. 662,159

2 Claims. (Cl. 222100) This invention relates to dispensing apparatus and, more particularly, to a dispensing device for extracting the contents of collapsible tubes.

Ordinarily, because of the improper squeezing and distorting of collapsible tubes, the entire contents thereof can not be completely removed while the material so dispensed is wasted and presents an untidy appearance. Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a manually operated device for properly ejecting the contents from collapsible type tubes and for condensing the size of the empty portion of such tubes.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a device for dispensing the contents of collapsible tubular containers wherein the empty portion of the collapsible tube may be stored within the device and which will assure the proper dispensing of the product.

All of the foregoing and still further objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from a study of the following specification, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a dispensing device made in accordance with the present invention in operative use;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal cross sectional view taken along line 22 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an enlarged transverse cross sectional view taken along line 3-3 of Figure l; and

Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view, with parts broken away, of the dispensing device shown in Figures 1 to 3.

Referring now to the drawing, and more particularly to Figure 1 thereof, a dispensing device made in accordance with the present invention is shown in operative use with a tube of toothpaste 12. It will be recognized, however, that this device may be similarly used with any type of collapsible tube, such as those used for storing lotions, shaving cream, food products, and other utilitarian items.

As is more clearly shown in Figures 3 and 4, the dispensing device 10 includes a cylindrical housing 14 that defines an internal compartment 15. A pair of longitudinally extending and circumferentially spaced tapered lips 17 define a longitudinal slot 16 that communicates with the compartment 15. An end closure cap 18 is removably secured to one end of the housing 14 and is provided with a centrally located bearing element 19. The opposite end of the housing14 is similarly closed by means of another end closure cap 20 having a centrally located opening 21 for rotatably receiving a bifurcated pin 22. This pin 22 is provided with a pair of spaced legs 23, 26, one of which 23 is longer than the other 26.

2,851,195 Patented Sept. 9, 1958 2 The longer leg 23 is provided with an offset tip 24 that lies along the longitudinal axis of the pin 22 and which is rotatably received within the central bearing element 19 in the one end closure 18. The opposite end of the pin 22 is provided with a handle 28 that is disposed at the outside of the end closure cap 20.

In use, the end 30 of the collapsible tube is inserted through the slot 27 into the interior of the compartment 15. The bifurcated pin 22 and handle 28 are then inserted axially into the housing through the opening 21 in the enclosure 20 so that the extreme end 30 of the tube is received between the bifurcated leg portions 23, 26, whereupon the tip 24 is placed in assembly with the bearing element 19. It will be recognized that by rotating the handle 28, the body of the tube 12 may be drawn into the housing 14 through the tapered lips 17 that define the longitudinal slot 16. This movement of course compresses the contents within the tube and forces such con tents 31 outwardly through the open end thereof for use. As shown in Figure 2, these contents are in the form of toothpaste 31 that are placed upon the bristles of a brush 33. it will not be necessary to rotate it in the opposite direction to permit the tube to be unrolled and removed. The purpose of the bifurcated pin 22 is to permit it to be slipp d out from the tube 12 without unrolling. The end of the housing and the pin 22 can both be removed, thereby allowing the full tube 12 to be slipped ofi the pin 22. 1

While this invention has been described with particular reference to the construction shown in the drawing, it is to be understood that such is not to be construed as imparting limitations upon the invention, which is best defined by the claims appended hereto.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. A dispenser for ejecting the contents from collapsible tube storage devices comprising, in combination, a cylindrical housing defining an interior compartment, surface portions of said housing defining a longitudinal slot communicating with the interior thereof, operating means rotatably supported Within said compartent, and manually operated actuating means for effecting rotation of said operating means, said operating means including a clamp for engaging the end of a collapsible tube, said surface portions comprising spaced longitudinally extending lips, said lips being spaced apart a distance corresponding to substantially twice the wall thickness of a collapsible tube, and said clamp comprising a bifurcated rod defining a pair of spaced legs one of which extends longitudinally beyond the other, and an enclosure carried by said housing having a central bearing rotatably receiving said longer leg, whereby rotation of said operating means is operative to draw said tube through said slot and into said housing.

2. A dispenser as set forth in claim 1, wherein said actuating means comprises a handle integral with said rod and disposed outside of said compartment.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,487,215 Dail Mar. 18, 1924 FOREIGN PATENTS 466,777 Italy Nov. 15, 1951 664,032 Great Britain Jan. 2, 1952 278,811 Switzerland Feb. 1, 1952 

